It might be a dead cat but to someone it's a much loved part of the family. We found our cat dead in a garden, brought her home and cried a bit, then made the necessary arrangements.A few hours later our very much alive cat walked up the path

We tried to find out who had lost a cat that looked like ours, but no luck.

A friend of a neighbour picked up our Ebony from the road and buried him. The day after, he was speaking to our neighbour and described him to our neighbour and she let my mum know. We were gutted about him, but knowing someone had had the kindness to pick him up and look after him made it easier to cope with.

It's a death and of course you'll be upset by it for a bit. It will likely also, at some level, have brought back thoughts of your own little cat who was found dead - and also sparklingcat's future.

Myself, I'd go and see how the neighbour is doing, take her a cake or something. Surprisingly, that would probably help you as much as her - and she may not have people to talk to about it. Some folks can be quite cold when someone's animal dies (the 'It was only a cat' brigade.)

You are so kind to pick the cat up. Mine don't wear collars and I always worry that if something were to happen to one of them a passer-by might see no collar and not bother - it's that extra bit of bother to go to the vet, takes a cat lover and/or a good person to do it.